Look, living in the USA is great. You're president and you know it. People the world over 'love America.' Hey, it's the land of milk and honey. Everything - or so you thought - done here is the best in the world till the Soviets showed you otherwise. They just launched a satellite that can fly around the earth. Who ever thought they'd be able to do that?! Your scientists haven't gotten nearly as far. Their ability to send a satellite into outer-space means their rocket technology is far superior to yours. Their scientists, professors, and yes, even their students are smarter than yours are now. This just isn't good news; that means they can also have a military advantage in times of war and that would mean the USA could be beat. Yikes!!!
Choices
Do nothing. Hey, good for them, but your people are super-happy and just because the Soviets have a super advantage in space and rocket technology changes nothing. They're still living horrible lives and their people eventually will see the light of day and rebel in hopes of living the American like life.
Force students to take more science. Americans have gotten soft reading literature and watching Hollywood films, but they have no practical science ability to speak of. From now on ALL high school students must take at least five, full-year science courses. As well, more money will be spent on space research in NASA.
Ask the Soviets if they can spare a few scientists to share their expertise with your scientists. After all, wouldn't this assure that no one gets too far ahead in the arms race and thus ensuring a 'balance of power'?
Situation
Look, living in the USA is great. You're president and you know it. People the world over 'love America.' Hey, it's the land of milk and honey. Everything - or so you thought - done here is the best in the world till the Soviets showed you otherwise. They just launched a satellite that can fly around the earth. Who ever thought they'd be able to do that?! Your scientists haven't gotten nearly as far. Their ability to send a satellite into outer-space means their rocket technology is far superior to yours. Their scientists, professors, and yes, even their students are smarter than yours are now. This just isn't good news; that means they can also have a military advantage in times of war and that would mean the USA could be beat. Yikes!!!
Choices